With their fifth straight AFC East title already achieved, the Patriots (11-4) can clinch a first-round bye Sunday. The Bills are simply ending their 14th straight season, the NFL's longest current streak, without reaching the playoffs.

But under first-year coach Doug Marrone, Buffalo (6-9) has a solid defense and a chance to finish with three straight victories by beating New England.

"We just lost some heartbreaking games," running back C.J. Spiller said. "We just have to find a way to be able to get over that edge and we will. We've got a great leadership group. We've got a lot of great guys coming back in the near future. We're definitely going to get over that hump and make the Bills fans happy."

The Bills lost the season opener to the Patriots 23-21 on Stephen Gostkowski's field goal with 5 seconds left.

They dropped overtime games to Cincinnati and Atlanta.

More Information

Patriots vs. Bills

When: 4:25 p.m. Sunday

Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.

TV: CBS-6

And they've used three quarterbacks because of knee injuries to rookie EJ Manuel, who was limited in practice last week.

But a victory would make them the only AFC East team with a winning record in division games.

"That would be important for what we want to be able to build on," Marrone said. "Really (we're) just trying to change things."